Esope

1899 · 962F25 — London: John Lane The Bodley Head; Angus & Robertson 1899-1977. First edition. Cloth. Near Fine. 10.5" by 8". Percy J. Billinghurst. Two scarce editions of Aesop's fables including the very scarce first edition of the Percy J. Billinghurst illustrated edition and a late twentieth century edition also featuring his illustrations. Two volumes of the fables of Aesop both featuring the illustrations of Percy J. Billinghurst.The first of these two volumes is the very scarce first edition of this charming late nineteenth century edition of Aesop's fables with this edition from the English version of English pamphleteer Sir Roger L'Estrange featuring an introduction from Kenneth Grahame - author of 'The Wind of the Willows' - and illustrated by Percy J. Billinghurst.Illustrated with a frontispiece and with full page illustrations throughout - included in the pagination - from illustrator and bookplate designer Percy J. Billinghurst. The second volume is the scarce 1977 first edition of George Beal's retelling of the fables which also features Billinghurst's illustrations throughout.Aesop's Fables are a collection of brief moral tales attributed to a storyteller believed to have lived in ancient Greece around the 6th century BCE. These tales typically feature animals as characters who embody human traits and behaviours teaching practical life lessons through their interactions. Classic fables like "The Tortoise and the Hare" "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" and "The Ant and the Grasshopper" use simple narratives to convey enduring wisdom about virtues such as perseverance honesty and hard work.Housed in a cloth slip case In the publisher's original pictorial cloth bindings housed in cloth slip case. Externally excellent with bump to head of 1899 volume. Internally firmly bound. Pages of 1977 volume exceptionally clean and bright with the odd spot to the 1899 volume. Slip case in excellent condition. Near Fine John Lane The Bodley Head; Angus & Robertson hardcover